Operation Sea Lion ; The Invasion of England 1940

It is hard to believe that in the summer of 1940, neither the Allies nor the Axis powers had any experience of large amphibious operations. German planning for Operation Sealion was concerned with pioneering new techniques and developing specialized landing craft. Remarkably, in only two months they prepared an invasion fleet of 4,000 vessels.

In Operation Sealion, Peter Schenk begins by analyzing and describing the vessels that were developed and deployed for the operation: converted cargo vessels and steamers, more specialized landing craft, barges and pontoons, and auxiliary vessels such as tugs and hospital ships. He then goes on to outline the strategic preparations for the landing and looks at the operational plans of, in turn, the navy, army and air force.

The planned invasion is described in full detail so that the reader can follow the proposed sequence of events from loading, setting sail and the crossing of the Channel, to the landing and the early advances into southern England. Schenk uniquely estimates the chances of success.

This absorbing account of Hitler's abortive mission, more detailed than anything written hitherto, is of interest not just to the naval historian but to anyone with an interest in World War II.

Peter Schenk is a member of Berlin's Groener Group and spent months researching Operation Sealion at Freiburg's Military Archives. He has written and co-authored five books about German landing craft, netlayers and the fleets of World War I and World War II. He has written numerous articles in _After The Battle_ magazine, as well as in German magazines.

Sonke Neitzel is Professor of Modern History at the University of Potsdam and Glasgow. Since 1994 he has been specialist adviser in history to the German ZDF television Network. He is the author of a number of books on World War II, including _Kriegsausbruch_ and _Weltmacht oder Untergang_.

SÖNKE NEITZEL is Professor of International History at the London School of Economics, having also held positions at the universities of Glasgow, Saarbrucken, Bern and Mainz. He is the author of seven books, including the best-selling 'Soldaten: On Fighting, Killing and Dying' and appeared on the major Channel 4 documentary 'Spying on Hitler’s Army'.